Elevate your grilled poultry experience with this delightful recipe featuring tender and succulent Cornish hens drenched in a tangy vinegar sauce. This light and flavorful sauce perfectly complements the poultry, adding a zesty twist to the dish. Whether you’re grilling chicken, squab, or even rabbit, this versatile vinegar sauce will infuse your meal with a burst of savory goodness. The Cornish hens are split and cooked to perfection, and then generously basted with the mouthwatering vinegar sauce, making each bite a tantalizing delight. Enjoy this dish hot or at room temperature, either as a weeknight treat or for a special occasion with friends and family.
Servings: 2 to 4 servings
Preparation Time: About 40 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 Cornish hens, about 1 pound each
- 1 cup chicken, beef, or other stock
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Minced fresh parsley leaves for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat a charcoal or gas grill or the broiler to moderate heat and position the grill rack about 4 inches from the heat source.
- Remove the backbone of the Cornish hens by cutting along their length on each side.
- Boil the stock and the hens’ backbones in a small saucepan until reduced by about half, approximately 30 minutes.
- Stir in the vinegar and season with salt and pepper if needed, creating the tangy vinegar sauce.
- Grill or broil the Cornish hens, turning frequently to brown them evenly without burning. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper during the cooking process.
- Towards the end of the cooking time (about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the intensity of the heat), begin basting the hens with the prepared vinegar sauce.
- Once the hens are fully cooked, drizzle them with the remaining vinegar sauce to enhance their flavor.
- Garnish the grilled Cornish hens with minced fresh parsley leaves and serve them hot or at room temperature.
Other Sauces That Are Great Basted on and Served with Grilled or Broiled Cornish Hens:
- Any Five-Minute Drizzle Sauce
- Soy Dipping Sauce and Marinade
- Compound Butter
- Ponzu Sauce
- Balsamic Syrup
- Any Vinaigrette
Experiment with these basting sauces to customize the flavors of your grilled poultry dishes. Whether you prefer the zesty tang of vinegar sauce or the sweet notes of balsamic syrup, these versatile sauces will take your Cornish hens to new heights of delectable taste. Grilled Cornish Hens with Vinegar Sauce is an excellent choice for a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s sure to impress your guests or make any occasion special. Enjoy the succulent goodness of this dish and explore the various sauce options to elevate your grilling game!
TIPS:
- Garnish Creatively: Apart from minced parsley, get creative with your garnishes. Sliced lemon, lime wedges, or even chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or mint can add a vibrant touch to the presentation.
- Side Dish Pairings: Accompany the grilled Cornish hens with a variety of side dishes. Classic choices like roasted vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad make excellent accompaniments to the dish.
- Grilling Safety: When grilling, follow proper safety measures, such as ensuring the grill is set up in a well-ventilated area and keeping a close eye on the cooking process to avoid flare-ups.
- Make Ahead: If you’re planning to serve the hens at a gathering, you can prepare the vinegar sauce in advance and refrigerate it. This way, the flavors will meld together, making the sauce even more delicious when basted over the hens.
